The Ethics of Reactivity: Dealing with Difficult Patients and Their Families

“DR. DAVE” JANZEN, D. MIN. , C ISM, CAI

CERTIF IED INTERVENTION PROFESSIONAL #I0175

“THE MOTIVENTIONIST”

HTTP: / /WWW.MOTIVENTIONIST.COM/

REV. 9-14-2015

Objectives

1. Define Emotional Reactivity2. Explore the Neurobiology of Emotional

Reactivity3. Adopt Strategies for Managing Emotional

Reactivity

Disclosure The presenter has a distinct bias against addiction and this bias may appear throughout the presentation. The presenter has no financial interest or conflict in the presentation.

Why me? Bioethics? Expertise in Emotional Reactivity?

◦Congregational Life◦Personal Experience◦Intervention

Emotional Reactivity Defined

A stress-induced state of relational transaction, where agent and respondent are in heightened states of emotional arousal, with the intensity of the transaction frequently both cyclical and escalating. It can manifest as aggressive, passive, and passive-aggressive.

(This is my working definition)

Emotional Reactivity is Reptilian Behavior (e.g., addiction)

For families that have had to deal with the impact of addiction◦ Report “S/he has become a different person.”◦ “We want our old ______ back”◦ Confirmation that some of their behavior is:

◦ Reactive ◦ Hostile◦ Defensive

It’s an opportunity to ask, “Would you like to know why?”◦ And, “Would you like to know what to do about it?”

Medusa -Bernini

The Myth of Medusa From Greek Mythology

◦ A beautiful priestess of Athena◦ Tryst with Poseidon, cursed by Athena

Rings true through the ages because of the power of reptilian behavior

Association of reptilian with frightening, deceptive, and deadly

Including many major religions And some ex-partners

It’s all about that Brain

It’s all about the neurons Density Complexity Ratio 2-3% of body mass

◦ Uses 15-20% of calories

Organic network of each neuron with the whole brain

Two modes of communication

Along the neuron◦ From the nucleus down to the axon terminals◦ Electrical impulses signal instructions to release NT

Between neurons◦ Neurochemical

◦ Neurotransmitters:◦ Serotonin, Norepinephrene, Dopamine, glutamate,

GABA, etc.◦ Other neuropeptides

The Brain’s 3 Layers Upper Layer: Cerebral Cortex Mid-Brain/Limbic System: Brainstem: ◦Survival◦Reactive◦“Reptilian”◦“Snakes on a Brain”

Cerebral Cortex Our most-recently-evolved region of the brain

The most significant difference compared to the brains of other species on the planet

Sperm Whale – 17 lbs. of brain, most dedicated to musculoskeletal management

Human brain – 3 lbs.

Human brain has far more neurons, highest ratio of cerebral cortex to body mass & rest of brain of any species

The Cortex is dedicated to integrating sensory & reflective information related to our Social Nature

Cortex is most like a “social computer”

Relationship to our development as “Human”

500,000 years ago, started using tools 50,000 years ago, started using fire to cook food

◦ Allowed migration to colder regions◦ Cooking food made more calories available◦ More calories made larger “calorie hog” brains possible

Nevertheless, ancestors always near extinction◦ Exposure◦ Starvation◦ Disease◦ Competition

The Cortex as “Social Computer”

Our social nature put us at the top of the food chain Massive processing is required for:

◦ Language◦ Tone of voice and facial expression◦ Social group cues of:

◦ Hierarchy, Threat, Nurture

Social interaction with the environment◦ Hunting/gathering◦ Security◦ Shelter

Technology – knowledge & skill accumulation/sharing

The Mid-Brain, Limbic System

Emotional and sensory processing and response

The primary feeling and reacting centers

Many separate structures for self and species preservation◦ Amygdala – Fear, Rage & reactivity with environmental cues◦ Hippocampus – Memory and Spatial interaction; Patterns◦ Hypothalamus – Endocrine, Sexual, and Autonomic control

◦ Temperature regulation◦ Arousal and Craving

◦ Hypothalamus also outputs limbic processes to the rest of the brain

Found in the earliest mammals and since

The Reptilian Mind So-called because it’s as far as reptiles evolved Reptiles don’t nurture their young Reptiles are purely reactive creatures Includes the Brainstem and Cerebellum (coordination)

The Locus Coeruleus, Amygdala, and HPA-axis

Emergence of the Reptilian Mind in Hospital Settings Assumption: No patient enters the hospital for a good time. If you are sick, the reptilian mind is activated. When feeling threatened, the most reasonable person may become quite unreasonable. “Snakes on a brain!”

How is this about Ethics?

Ethics, Oxford Dictionary: 1 [USUALLY TREATED AS PLURAL] Moral principles that govern a person’s or group’s behavior:

Judeo-Christian ethics 1.1The moral correctness of specified conduct: the ethics of euthanasia

Principles of Biomedical Ethics Beauchamp TL, Childress JF. Principles of biomedical ethics, 5th ed. New York City, NY: Oxford University Press; 2001. Autonomy Beneficence Nonmaleficence Justice

What about the relationship?

In the middle of conflict, are we going through a mental checklist of the principles?

Shorthand: Ethics is about the relationship, specifically:

When one party needs something that the other party has, an imbalance is created which distresses the relationship

Ethics is about re-balancing the relationship Until it’s re-balanced, reactivity is likely

In Conflict, Job #1: Managing Reactivity Because illness activates the “reptilian mind”

◦ “Snakes on a Brain”◦ Reactivity is a defense mechanism

Reactivity is contagious! Cats metaphor Expect reactivity to emerge Prepare to manage reactivity

Guidelines for all Intervention meetings

Review group goals & ground rules Monitor group for signs of reactivity

◦ Posture, Tone of voice, Facial expressions◦ Watch out for Hi-jackers

Monitor self! Take breaks Keep the tone respectful and loving Focus on building value in relationships

Intervention:Family dynamics

Homeostasis Coaching to encourage, not enable Try to identify “family rules,” patterns Job #1- Identify & manage reactivity Transactional Analysis training

◦ P – A – C ◦ Parent/Adult/Child communication dynamic◦ Move from “You…” to “I…” messages

Movin’ on up… Recovery is a process Progression of recovery is “up”

◦ Returning behavioral control to Cortex

Learning to manage emotions Respond rather than react Healthy relationships re-engage Cortex

◦ Activate the “Social Computer”

Reactivity Management Strategy Breathe; Get calm & centered Remember Compassion (caregivers incl.) Identify Imbalances Empower with measured Response Use “I” messages

Strategy, cont’d. Do Not: Engage the reactivity Invalidate others’ points of view Do: Self care & team care “Tea for the Soul” (Chaplains’ office)

Parable of the Two Wolves

Young Brave in distress about inner conflict Counsel of a tribal Elder “You have two wolves within you, fighting for your soul;

“One is good and one is evil.” “Which wolf will win?” “Whichever one you feed!”

References Beauchamp TL, Childress JF. Principles of biomedical ethics, 5th ed. New York City, NY: Oxford University Press; 2001.

Links: “Dr. Dave’s” website:

◦ http://www.motiventionist.com/

Managing the Medusa webinar:◦ http://www.naadac.org/managingthemedusa

Images, public domain:◦ http://tayloredge.com/reference/Science/

Drugs disrupt neurotransmission course◦ http://science.education.nih.gov/supplements/nih2/addiction/guide/lesson3-1.htm

Harvard's guide on how addiction hijacks the brain◦ http://www.helpguide.org/harvard/how-addiction-hijacks-the-brain.htm

NIH's Drugs, Brains, and Behavior: The Science of Addiction:◦ http://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugs-brains-behavior-science-addiction/d

rugs-brain

Links, cont’d: NIH's curriculum for High School students, "The Brain: Understanding Neurobiology Through Addiction"

◦ http://science.education.nih.gov/supplements/nih2/addiction/default.htm

NIDA main web site:◦ http://www.drugabuse.gov/

McGill University, "The Brain from Top to Bottom":◦ http://thebrain.mcgill.ca/flash/d/d_05/d_05_cr/d_05_cr_her/d_05_cr_her.html

Dartmouth's Neuroscience on-line course, ch.9 on the Limbic System◦ http://www.dartmouth.edu/~rswenson/NeuroSci/chapter_9.html

Transactional Analysis, original source information:◦ http://www.ericberne.com/transactional-analysis/